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ROBIN    HOOD 


•ONCE  WAS  A  WAIT 


GIFT   OF 


H  A- 4. 


HOW 
ROBIN  HOOD  ONCE  WAS  A  WAIT 

A   MIRACLE    PLAY 

OR 

CHRISTMAS    MASQUE 


BY 
ROWLAND  GIBSON  HAZARD 


ACTED  AT  PEACE  DALE 

ON 

CHRISTMAS  EVE 
1910 


PRINTED  BY  S.  P.  C. 
PROVIDENCE 


COPYRIGHT,   1910 

BY 
R.  G.  HAZARD 


To 

The  Boys  and  Girls  of  Peace  Dale  — 
the  hope  of  the  future 


253402 


THIS  little  sketch  was  prepared  very  hur- 
riedly in  order  to  give  scope  to  the  volun- 
teer efforts  of  certain  of  the  younger  members  of 
the  community  who  had  undertaken  to  provide 
the  entertainment  for  the  Christmas  celebration  of 
1910  of  the  Peace  Dale  Congregational  Sunday 
School. 

After  looking  patiently  and  long  for  something 
which  they  could  act  for  the  entertainment  of 
their  fellows,  they  despaired  of  finding  anything 
they  would  like. 

In  their  dilemma  they  appealed  to  me,  saying 
that  their  principal  desire  was  to  introduce  the 
singing  of  Christmas  carols  in  some  way  not  too 
commonplace. 

The  characters  were  taken  by  inexperienced 
actors  who,  nevertheless,  presented  the  masque  in 
a  very  genuine  and  convincing  manner. 


The  whole  time  of  action  was  about  thirty-five 
minutes,  including  the  singing  of  the  Christmas 
carols.  I  was  urged  to  amplify  the  action,  in 
order  to  somewhat  prolong  the  part  played  by 
Robin  Hood  and  his  men,  but,  after  some  effort 
in  this  direction,  I  gave  it  up,  as  the  principal 
merit  of  the  masque  seemed  to  me  to  be  its 
brevity. 

Several  friends  have  urged  its  preservation 
in  print  in  the  hope  that  it  may  prove  suggestive 
or  useful  to  others  in  like  predicament. 

R.  G.  H. 

Peace  Dale,  R.  I., 

July  16,  1912. 


LIST     OF     PERSONS 


ROBIN  HOOD 

LONG  JOHN  FRIAR  TUCK 

WATT  WILL  SCARLETT 

One  or  two  others 

WAIT  (leader) 

FIDDLER  CELLO  CLARINET 

SINGERS  —  as  many  as  may  be 

WIDOW 

Eight  to  twelve  children 
less  than  fourteen  years  old 

SANTA  CLAUS 


COSTUMES 


Robin  Hood  —  If  possible,  in  a  close-fitting  green, 
buttoned  to  the  throat. 

Long  John  —  In  old  clothes,  with  leggings.  With  a 
bow  and  arrows,  one  arrow  stuck  in  belt.  (None 
of  Robin's  men  show  shirts  or  collars.) 

Watt  —  Has  a  bow.     Should  be  a  very  short  man. 

Friar  Tuck  —  In  a  friar's  robe,  with  girdle,  holding  in 
his  hand  a  big  soup  spoon  with  which  he  beats 
time  while  singing. 

Will  Scarlett  —  Also  with  a  bow,  but  no  arrows. 

Waits  —  Waits  dressed  poorly,  as  is  the  custom.  Rather 
ragged  clothes. 

Widow — With  a  cap  and  kerchief  and  apron.  Woollen 
dress  cut  full. 

Children  —  Dressed  in  school  clothes,  as  old  as  may  be. 

Santa  Claus  —  Red  coat,  white  trimming.  Red  cap, 
white  trimming.  White  beard. 


A  CHRISTMAS    MASQUE 


How  Robin  Hood  once  was  a  Wait 


(Curtain  rising  discloses  a  wood  scene.  In  center  a  small 
house.  Snow  falls.  Robin  Hood  and  his  merry  men  advance 
from  left  wings,  one  singing  the  XIII  Century  Rondo)  — 


King  Arthur  had  three  sons,  that  he  had ; 
King  Arthur  had  three  sons,  that  he  had ; 
He  had  three  sons  of  yore,  and  he  kicked 

them  out  of  door 
Because  they  could  not  sing,  that  he  did. 

Chorus  —  the  same. 

(Repeat  singing.) 


[12]  A  Christmas  Masque 

Robin — Well,  lads,  ye've  fed  full  this  day, 

So  'tis  well  to  be  gay ; 
#          #          #          # 

In  spite  of  the  weather 
Let's  merry  be  together. 

Yon  house  stuffed  with  babes 
Deserves  a  kind  deed, 
But  we've  nothing  to  give  them, 
Tho  'tis  Christmas,  as  all  are  agreed. 


(The  Waits  enter  from  right,  tuning  instruments  and  show 
fear  of  Robin's  men,  who  advance  threateningly  towards  them.) 


Robin  (hectoring) — And  who  gave  ye  leave  to 
break  the  mighty  silence  of  our  wood  ? 

Wait  (deprecatingly)  —  Softly,  Kind  Master,  we  be 
but  simple  singers  come  to  joy  yon  lonely 
widow  with  songs  of  Christmas-tide. 


A  Christmas  Masque  [13] 

Robin  —  Singers,  idle  and  vain,  we'll  have  ye 
know  'tis  death  to  enter  here  without  our 
license. 


Waits — We  be  waits,  good  sir,  and  have  ever 
license  to  sing  the  birth  of  Christ  our  Lord, 
born  this  day. 


Robin  (scornfully)  — And  what  be  waits  ? 


Wait  (with  solemnity)  — We  wait  upon  the  com- 
ing of  our  Lord,  Son  of  Mary  and  Heaven's 
Almighty  King.  And  while  we  patient  wait, 
we  sing. 


Robin  (appeased)  — Waits,  that's  better,  and  who 
gave  word  of  this  widow  and  her  dozen  brats  ? 


[14]  A  Christmas  Masque 

Wait  —  My  fiddler  here  is  cousin  to  the  widow's 
dead  man. 

Robin  (relenting)  — What  says't  thou,  Long  John 
and  Watt  and  Jolly  Tuck,  how  would  ye  like 
to  join  this  band  of  Waits  for  once  and  sing 
like  Christians  to  the  widow's  brats  ? 

Tuck  (deep  bass)  — Ay,  't  would  be  well  for  once 
to  use  the  lore  I  once  knew  well.  I'll  go. 

Long  John  —  I'll  go. 

Watt — I'll  go,  but  I  can  only  buzz. 


(They  advance  together  towards  house  grouping  towards  right, 
leaving  house  in  full  view  of  audience,  who  see  many  children  at 
a  lighted  window,  but  not  one  looking  out.) 

(They  sing  after  more  tuning  of  instruments)  — 


A  Christmas  Masque  [15] 

Good  King  Wenceslas. 

i. 
Good  King  Wenceslas  looked  out 

On  the  Feast  of  Stephen, 
When  the  snow  lay  round  about, 

Deep  and  crisp,  and  even ; 
Brightly  shone  the  moon  that  night, 

Though  the  frost  was  cruel, 
When  a  poor  man  came  in  sight, 

Gathering  winter  fuel. 

2. 
"  Hither,  page,  and  stand  by  me, 

If  thou  know'st,  telling, 
Yonder  peasant,  who  is  he  ? 

Where  and  what  his  dwelling  ? " 
"  Sire,  he  lives  a  good  league  hence, 

Underneath  the  mountain ; 
Right  against  the  forest  fence, 

By  Saint  Agnes*  fountain/' 


[16]  A  Christmas  Masque 

3- 
"  Bring  me  flesh,  and  bring  me  wine, 

Bring  me  pine-logs  hither ; 
Thou  and  I  will  see  him  dine, 

When  we  bear  them  thither." 
Page  and  monarch  forth  they  went, 

Forth  they  went  together; 
Through  the  rude  wind's  wild  lament; 

And  the  bitter  weather. 


4- 
"  Sire,  the  night  is  darker  now, 

And  the  wind  blows  stronger ; 
Fails  my  heart,  I  know  not  how, 

I  can  go  no  longer." 
Mark  my  footsteps,  my  good  page 

Tread  thou  in  them  boldly  ; 
Thou  shalt  find  the  winter's  rage 

Freeze  thy  blood  less  coldly. 


A  Christmas  Masque  [17] 

5- 
In  his  master's  steps  he  trod, 

Where  the  snow  lay  dinted  ; 
Heat  was  in  the  very  sod 

Which  the  saint  had  printed. 
Therefore,  Christian  men,  be  sure, 

Wealth  or  rank  possessing, 
Ye  who  now  will  bless  the  poor, 

Shall  yourselves  find  blessing. 


The  First  Noel. 

i. 

The  first  Noel  the  Angel  did  say, 
Was  to  certain  poor  shepherds  in 

fields  as  they  lay  ; 
In  fields  where  they  lay  keeping  their 

sheep, 


[18]  A  Christmas  Masque 

On  a  cold  winter's  night  that  was  so 
deep. 

Chorus. 

Noel,  Noel,  Noel,  Noel, 
Born  is  the  King  of  Israel. 

2. 

They  looked  up  and  saw  a  Star, 
Shining  in  the  East,  beyond  them  far, 
And  to  the  earth  it  gave  great  light, 
And  so  it  continued  both  day  and  night. 

Noel,  etc. 

3- 

And  by  the  light  of  that  same  Star, 
Three  Wisemen  came  from  country  far ; 
To  seek  for  a  King  was  their  intent, 
And  to  follow  the  Star  wherever  it  went. 

Noel,  etc. 


A  Christmas  Masque  [19] 

4- 

This  Star  drew  nigh  to  the  north-west, 
O'er  Bethlehem  it  took  its  rest, 
And  there  it  did  both  stop  and  stay, 
Right  over  the  place  where  Jesus  lay. 

Noel,  etc. 

5- 

Then  entered  in  those  Wisenien  three, 
Full  reverently  upon  their  knee, 
And  offered  there,  in  His  Presence, 
Their  gold,  and  myrrh,  and  frankin- 
cense. 

Noel,  etc. 

6. 

Then  let  us  all  with  one  accord, 
Sing  praises  to  our  Heavenly  Lord, 
That  hath  made  Heaven  and  earth  of 
nought, 


[20]  A  Christmas  Masque 

And  with  His  Blood  mankind  hath 
bought. 

Noel,  etc. 


God  Rest  You,  Merry  Gentlemen. 

(Old  English  Noel.) 

I. 

God  rest  you,  merry  gentlemen, 

Let  nothing  you  dismay, 
Remember  Christ  our  Saviour 

Was  born  on  Christmas  Day, 
To  save  us  all  from  Satan's  power, 

When  we  were  gone  astray  ; 

Chorus 

O  tidings  of  comfort  and  joy, 

comfort  and  joy, 
O  tidings  of  comfort  and  joy. 


A  Christmas  Masque  [21] 


2. 

In  Bethlehem,  in  Jewry, 

This  blessed  Babe  was  born, 

And  laid  within  a  manger, 
Upon  this  blessed  morn  ; 

The  which  His  Mother,  Mary, 
Did  nothing  take  in  scorn. 

O  tidings,  etc. 


3- 
From  God  our  Heavenly  Father, 

A  blessed  Angel  came ; 
And  unto  certain  Shepherds 

Brought  tidings  of  the  same  : 
How  that  in  Bethlehem  was  born 

The  Son  of  God  by  Name. 

O  tidings,  etc. 


[22]  A  Christmas  Masque 

4- 
Now  to  the  Lord  sing  praises, 

All  you  within  this  place, 
And  with  true  love  and  brotherhood 

Each  other  now  embrace ; 
This  holy  tide  of  Christmas 

All  other  doth  deface. 

O  tidings,  etc. 


(At  second  carol,  the  children  come  out  with  half-eaten  apples 
and  oaten  cake,  to  stand  listening  to  the  singing.  The  children 
mingle  with  the  waits  and  offer  them  bites  of  their  apples,  etc. 
The  widow  comes  out  with  a  big  steaming  pot  of  mead  to  thank 
the  waits.  Offers  pot.  Robin's  men  each  try  to  take  first  drink. 
Robin  stops  quarrel  and  hands  it  to  Tuck,  who  drinks  hastily, 
and  so  burns  his  mouth.) 


Widow  —  Oh  !  kind  gentlemen,  bless  your  hearts 
for  this.      It's   many    a   year  since    I    heard 


A  Christmas  Masque  [23] 

the  sound  of  a  Christmas  carol.     It  does  my 
old  heart  good.     Bless  ye,  bless  ye. 

(Descries  the  fiddler  cousin,  falls  on  his  shoulder,  and  makes 
talk  of  his  family  —  sotto  voce.) 

(Robin's  men  draw  off  and  sing  again) — 
King  Arthur  had  three  sons,  that  he  had. 


(A  basket  lowered  from  above  with  Santa  Claus  in  it  begins 
to  appear  to  the  audience.  No  one  on  stage  sees  it.  Santa 
Claus  reaches  out  and  taps  Robin  on  the  head,  smartly,  with  a 
bit  of  rope.  Knocks  off  his  hat.) 


Robin    (terrified) — Saints     preserve     us.       Who 
smote  me  ? 


(Sees  balloon.     Points  to  it.     All  cry  out  in  alarm.) 


[24]  A  Christmas  Masque 

Robin — An  air-man;  a  Miracle!  The  day  of 
miracles  ! 

Santa  Claus  (intones  high  tenor  voice)  —  Fear  not, 
except  for  thy  sins.  I  came  to  hear ;  what 
music  was  it  ye  sang  ? —  Nay  be  not  affrighted 
—  I'll  e'en  stand  among  ye.  So  shall  ye  see 
I  bode  no  ill. 

(Alights  from  his  car.) 

Robin  —  Canst  fly?  How  else  cam'st  hither? 
Truly  a  Miracle  art  thou. 

Santa  Claus  —  No  Miracle  am  I,  but  the  dear 
Christ's  Almoner  ;  who  comes  this  night  and 
every  Christmas-tide  bearing  gifts  for  all  good 
children  and  a  good  gift  for  all,  even  Jesus' 
love  and  Peace  on  Earth,  good  will  toward 


A  Christmas  Masque  [25J 

men.  But  this  is  a  miracle,  in  truth,  for  here 
be  Waits  joined  hands  with  Robin  Hood  in 
songs  of  praise  for  Christus'  birth. 

Praise  God  for  this  and  all  good  deeds,  and 
by  such  shall  these  wild  hearts  (turns  to 
Robin's  men)  learn  gentle  love  for  all  man- 
kind. 


(Exit.      Robin  leads  his  men,  exit  to  right.     Waits  follow.) 


Santa  Claus  —  And  now,  good  people  all,  take  note 
of  Music ;  see  how  she  sways  rough  men  and 
brings  the  good  that's  in  us  all  to  turn  them 
into  better  paths.  King  Arthur  did  quite 
right  to  those  three  sons  who  would  not  sing. 


I've  brought  ye  Xmas  joys 
For  all  good  girls  and  boys. 


[26]  A  Christmas  Masque 

I  command  ye  all  to  sing 

In  praise  of  our  Lord  King  ; 

The  Prince  of  Peace  and  God  of  Love 

Who  sitteth  on  the  throne  above. 


(Exit  in  balloon-basket  upwards,  leaving  baskets  of  presents  on 
stage.) 

(Audience  rises  and  sings) — 


Adeste  Fideles. 

O  come,  all  ye  faithful, 
Joyfully  triumphant, 
To  Bethlehem  hasten  now  with  glad 

accord ; 

Lo  !  in  a  manger 
Sits  the  King  of  angels  ; 

:||  O  come,  let  us  adore  Him,  ||: 
Christ  the  Lord. 


A  Christmas  Masque  [27] 

Raise,  raise,  choirs  of  angels  ! 
Songs  of  loudest  triumph, 
Thro'  heavens'  high  arches  be  your 

praises  pour'd  ; 
Now  to  our  God  be, 
Glory  in  the  highest ; 

:||  O  come,  let  us  adore  Him,  ||: 
Christ  the  Lord. 


Amen  !   Lord,  we  bless  Thee, 
Born  for  our  salvation, 
O  Jesus,  forever  be  Thy  Name  adored  ; 
Word  of  the  Father, 
Now  in  flesh  appearing ; 

:||  O  come,  let  us  adore  Him,  ||: 
Christ  the  Lord. 


IVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUB  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


DEC    0  1917 
SEP  24  192C 


30m-6,'14 


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TU 


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